The glorious egg, with its deep links to Creation mythology, is one of the oldest symbols of life and rebirth known to us. Many gods, demons and heroes have sprung from eggs. It's a symbol of new life in cultures as far apart as Polynesian, Chinese, Phoenician, Egyptian and Greek and represents resurrection in Christian belief.
Hindu mythology brings us a vivid picture of how the world-egg became the world we now live in. There was one, a warm, glowing, single egg. It rocked gently, a crack appeared, and the world was born. Half the shell became the earth and the other half became the sky. Mountains were created from the inner membrane and clouds from the outer. The veins formed rivers, the fluid became the ocean and the yolk formed the sun. It makes a kind of sense when you consider the egg.
Portrayals of winged eggs commonly float above Egyptian mummies, carrying the soul to another birth. A great bird, Tien, dropped an egg in China and a man emerged from it. Another egg of note is that of the phoenix, the bird which dies in flames every 14,000 years after setting its own nest alight. From the resulting ashes, a new egg emerges from which hatches a new phoenix, which dies in flames ... and so it goes.
Helen of Troy was hatched from an egg. This is due to the lamentable lusty habits of Zeus. On one of his amorous forays he assumed the shape of a swan and dallied with Leda. On the same night Tyndareus, king of Sparta, also made love to her. She produced two children, Castor and Clytemnestra, and two eggs from which hatched. Polydeuces (Pollux) and Helen.
We are informed that the birthdays of notable Romans were marked by hens curiously laying red eggs. Perhaps they did.
There's one folkloric egg that we would all like to have, and it crops up all over the place. The owner of a goose finds that the goose can lay eggs of pure gold and so dissects the bird to extract the gold inside her. The goose turns out to be just the same as any goose inside and, being dead, will no more lay her golden eggs. This is, of course, a cautionary tale, but eggs were as valuable as gold in an early agricultural society. No longer does our diet depend on the season and we have forgotten how once we starved for food in winter, and how an egg was an ever increasing and expanding source of valuable protein. And we have forgotten the delights of the coming of Spring.
Consider the egg. Hold it in your hand, and study the delicate shell, so fragile and yet so strong. Think on its weight, its shape, its perfection and totality - all the possibilities of a perfect creation are inherent in the egg. Its very form evokes wonder. The elliptical shape follows the movement of heavenly bodies and of the earth itself. It describes the sphere of light that surrounds all living things. It declares our common experience in starting our existence in the egg-shape of the womb, both a container and a totality. You can clearly see the idea of the World Egg. In the beginning, mirrored now in the Moon.
At Easter we exchange gifts of eggs. These Easter eggs, the dawn that arrives with resurrection of life, and the celebration of Spring all serve to remind us of the cycle of the earth. Whatever your religion, consider the egg as the symbol for rebirth, renewal and hope in the world.
Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions using ancient myths in modern settings and produces an ezine of
Plan ahead this year for your corporate clients and associates... Read More
First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist,... Read More
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed... Read More
Sometimes gifts that are truly from your heart have no... Read More
Are you bored with the routine of city life? Do... Read More
"Wouldn't you just know it," muttered my husband, Randy.We had... Read More
Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More
Some people hate to see Valentines Day come around. Some... Read More
The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling... Read More
Years of having to make do have turned me into... Read More
If you were asked to name 10 reasons why you... Read More
KNOW THYSELFThe first key to creating a peaceful holiday season... Read More
Things have come a long way since a Christmas ornament... Read More
It's impossible to remember what gift is traditional for each... Read More
Although it is now more decades away than I care... Read More
To take advantage of the last days of autumn, we... Read More
The holidays will be here before you know it. Clear... Read More
A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
In theory Christmas is a time that is filled with... Read More
Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother's... Read More
The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with... Read More
So you know someone who likes to "veg out" in... Read More
Are you ready for Mother's Day? Yes I realize it's... Read More
Not everyone shares in the celebration and joy associated with... Read More
Most people mistakenly believe that Mother's Day is an invention... Read More
The holiday season is typically filled with large fancy parties,... Read More
When I think of Valentines Day I think of Chocolates... Read More
Mother's Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on... Read More
Whether you know him by Eros or Cupid, this son... Read More
Usually, the hardest part about Halloween is finding the perfect... Read More
Halloween is the day of the year that has the... Read More
"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return,... Read More
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year (January/February)It is usually in the... Read More
Many of us believe Christmas is one of the most... Read More
As the countdown to Christmas day continues, most everyone is... Read More
For most people, Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer,... Read More
The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling... Read More
Valentine's Day can be a depressing day when you're in... Read More
The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine... Read More
The holiday season is typically filled with large fancy parties,... Read More
As a little girl I often loved to dress up... Read More
Campers all over the globe prefer to use tents in... Read More
Christmas is one of those times when the social norm... Read More
Traditional hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments never seem to go out... Read More
"I Just Love It!"You know the scenario. You're sitting at... Read More
Berry Manor Inn owner, Cheryl Michaelsen wouldn't admit it, but... Read More
Did you know that you can make your own Halloween... Read More
For many people the end of a year is a... Read More
Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about... Read More
Some people hate to see Valentines Day come around. Some... Read More
Years of having to make do have turned me into... Read More
Just as soon as the stores put away their Christmas... Read More
The joyous season of Christmas is steeped in tradition, and... Read More
For most people that don't enjoy wearing messy makeup, Halloween... Read More
Forty years ago when I was growing up on our... Read More
This weekend as we celebrate Father's Day, take an opportunity... Read More
Ever wonder why there's an "Easter Bunny"? Ever wonder why... Read More
Admit it! You promised this year was not going to... Read More
Here you are, facing the holiday season alone. Have you... Read More
Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I... Read More
Monday, May 30th is Memorial Day. Your local florist can... Read More
Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year (January/February)It is usually in the... Read More
Not everyone shares in the celebration and joy associated with... Read More
Mother's Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on... Read More
If you are like me, you never know what to... Read More
Thanksgiving is the time of year when we stop and... Read More
Holiday |